HTC One M8 Review

Once again, HTC proved to the market that they can be leading players in terms of innovation and also premium experience in their smartphone. I am lucky to be given a chance to review the brand new HTC One M8, a successor of the well received HTC One M7. If you're curious, i was an ex owner of the HTC One M7. Click here for my full review of HTC One M7. So now I am gonna talk about the new HTC One M8 here and what are the improvement over the old M7.

HTC One M8 Key Specification :

• 5.0 inches Super LCD 3 screen with 1080 x 1920 of resolution
• 2.5 GHz quad core Qualcomm MSM8974AB Snapdragon 801 processor with Krait 400
• Andreno 330 GPU
• 2GB RAM
• 16 GB internal memory with microSD slot
• Dual 4 MP Ultrapixel camera with dual-LED (dual tone) flash
• 5MP front facing camera
• 2600 mAh battery
• Android 4.4.2 Kit Kat with Sense 6
• 146.4 x 70.6 x 9.4 mm
• 160 g

Design & Built Quality

The new One M8 is now full metal body! It has rounder edge and also thinner than the M7. Thanks to the curve back body as well, it feel so comfortable holding it despite the large screen. It just right on the hand with the curve behind. What's more, it is full metal built now that given a premium feel. Kudos to HTC for maintaining, or even improved it to make the One experience better! Probably the only thing I hate was the smooth surface on the back metal body (on One M7, the black version has rough surface texture).

User Interface (UI)

HTC One M8 running the latest sense 5.5 On quick glance, it has not much different than the previous Sense 5 on HTC One M7. But as the matter of fact, they do did some improvement on the UI. They listen to customers feedback!

- The Blinkfeed now can be turn off and on
- more source news on Blinkfeed
- Updated interface and new video highlight options on HTC Gallery

Click here to learn more about HTC Sense 5.5 UI. Personally, HTC Sense is my most favourite UI. It is simple, sleek and buttery fast.

Camera

While HTC might not leading in terms of Megapixels in camera, they actually did a very great job on their 4mp ultrapixel camera. Definitely not a great choice for pixel peeper. HTC introduces the secondary camera at the back which uses to capture depth information. HTC calls this Duo Camera.

It mimics the stereoscopic abilities of the human eye - two independent lenses able to calculate the relative distance of the subjects in an image. HTC's dual camera setup enables cool effects such as selective focus (shallow depth of field) and post-shot refocusing. Unfortunately the editing has limitation where only auto mode and without flash images taken by the camera can proceed the editing.

The optical image stabilization of the original One is now gone, and the One (M8) will rely solely on digital stabilization. Similarly to Apple, HTC has improved the flash of the smartphone by using a two toned one - one cold and one warm LED, which can help the smartphone produce more accurate color tones in low-light conditions. HTC also claims the One (M8) can focus in just 0.3s.

If that's not enough for you, HTC is generous enough to packed the front facing camera with 5 Megapixel for selfie lover.

Well I believe pics speak louder than words.

* Selfie with the front camera *

* ISO 1600 still usable for me *

If you're curious, I have more photos in here including the comment I had on the camera. I brought it for street shooting and obviously, I enjoy it very much despite it wasn't my usual practise. Kudos to HTC again! Please make 8mp Ultrapixel for next gen!

Audio

I am not audiophile, but HTC One M8 speaker is definitely loud and one of the best. Improved from the very best HTC One M7, what else are you gonna complain??

Battery

HTC One m8 easily can has 3-4 hours on screen time for a single full charge. On normal usage it can easily last me a day (unplug since 6am and battery almost died on 10-11pm). Of course, different people different usage and apps installed. For a guy like me who heavily used on social apps, One M8 battery definitely not disappointing.

Verdict

One of the best UI. CHECK!
One of the best dual stereo speaker. CHECK!
One of the best design. CHECK!
One of the best camera. Sort of. CHECK!

So what else are you gonna complain about HTC One M8? It might not the most perfect phone but for me, it is close to perfect! If only the megapixel are higher (let's say 8mp), I will definitely score full point to HTC One M8. Hopefully it happen on the next successor of One M8!

The HTC One comes with a variety of accessories like the Flip Case, Double Dip case (each in three colors), Dot View case (showing you alarms, events, calls, battery, weather and more in a colorful dotted way) and more. The HTC One is available now with RRP RM 2,399.

Pudu Wet Market with new camera

* Kid smile never fail to shine brightest *

So, I am back to Pudu street again. Started to feel I am becoming more and more selective when shooting people on the street. Nevertheless, it will be one of my special day because I am using new camera other than my Olympus OM-D E-M1. A camera that not necessaries I want but wouldn't hurt to have it too as extra camera.

* Claw *

* Boss, kasi satu... *

* Something in front *

* Let it go *

* Friendly portrait *

Pudu market probably is one of the market I wouldn't tired get with. Everytime I step my feet into the market, I'll exposed to difference things around. People there are friendly and wouldn't get mad at you even you're pointing your camera on them.

* Unskin *

* Burn *

* Green *

* Yellow *

I don't have eagle eye to see whether it is same or worst than my E-M1 but personally, I think the camera is doing great. Probably I'll put it as awesome as my E-M1 in terms of image quality, performances and the AF speed.

* Red *

* Resting up *

* On the row *

* ISO 800 *

From the color, sharpness and characteristic of the images, I bet one can easily guess the new camera I am using is from Olympus. Scroll down for exact answer will ya? ;)

* Olympus E-PL 7 with VF4 *

Yes it is the brand new Olympus E-PL7! Courtesy to Robin for bringing it out for me to test on that day. All image above are taken with my trustworthy Olympus 45mm f1.8 as well.

Holding E-PL7 really do bring back all nostalgic feeling when I am still using my E-P3, who currently in dry box for almost a year. However the moment I lifted it up and used it, I almost scare myself to death. The control of buttons are different than my E-M1 (obviously, DUH!). For the first few time I accidentally switches Mode Dial instead of Shutter Dial. I am disappointed too that it doesn't come with dual dial like E-P5 or maybe like my E-P3 (they can easily make the rear wheel dial). Other than that, using EPL-7 was very pleasant especially with VF4. Almost feel like my E-M1 except, I felt VF4 resolution kinda pixelated. The grip is as awesome as other PEN series.

* Front design *

* From top *

* Rear design *

* I flip down you flip up ok? *

I even asked Carmen to bring along her E-PL5 to compare it physically. Overall, I felt E-PL7 improved alot from E-PL5. E-PL7 has better and bigger LCD screen, shutter dial on top, all buttons on right side and arguable better flip screen mechanism. Personally, I like how the flip screen work. It was flip to bottom instead of top. I have used both E-PL5 and Sony NEX-5T before and I know how frustrated it is to selfie with the screen flip up and unable to attach flash (be it clipable or the external). But with E-PL7 I can do so! Question is, will it be heavy if mount external flash? :P

* The flip screen mechanism *

Then someone will started to argue that they can't put E-PL7 on table to selfie or mount on tripod with screen flip. Well I agree. But hey, Olympus E-PL7 came with built in Wi-Fi. I can't see why not using Olympus OI Share? I been doing it alot time using my E-M1. The app so far is great and stable and it is easy to learn.

I took the opportunity to tried the new Art filter - Vintage and Partial Color in Olympus E-PL7 too. I fell in love with it completely. Probably gonna be my next favourite filters after Dramatic Tone. If you're looking something easy, less hassle and trustable filter, Olympus definitely won't disappoint you.

With the spec similar (well in fact it is same except physical design and handling) to existing Olympus E-M10, I know it is not easy to convince people to get E-PL7. Here is how I gonna see it. E-PL7 mostly target for selfie concious social user, for people who love PEN design (especially me. I don't hate OM-D, but I do love PEN more. Explained why I still keep my E-P3 till now), and also for people who want something compact enough to bring around (with the small 14-42mm kit lens). While OM-D series are more for people want to have a serious looking camera, a bigger grip and also built in EVF.

* OM-D E-M10 and E-PL 7. Which is your pick? *

As conclusion, E-PL7 has a lot of improvement compare with it's predecessor (better LCD screen, Wi-Fi built in, shutter dial on top, E-M5 sensor with E-M1 image processing), but in the same time, being challenged widely by all competitors. As I always tell my friends, if you're looking for a camera for yourself, go test it out. Hold it, feel it. There are no right or wrong. Most important is you enjoy the piece of tools you're holding. Afterall, one of the element in photography is have fun.

* Carmen in attempt to selfie with stranger *

But of course if you would come and ask me directly, Olympus will be my always first choice :P

DialogHub - One Stop Mobile Solution store at Subang Jaya, SS15

Looking for latest mobile gadget and accessories, but not sure where is reliable and trustworthy? Fear not! DialogHub is here! After the successful operation of its web-based store, DialogHub officially open the doors to its maiden physical store in Subang Jaya. This one-stop flagship store will offer customers the latest tech gadgets and accessories ranging from smartphones to cameras, all with the promise of being the best bargain in town.

* Temper glass for smartphone!* 

* Xiaomi Powerbank in various colors *

I am lucky to be invited to the media launch and hands on few awesome latest gadget that just launch not long! You know being smartphone lover all this stuffs gonna excite me so much.

Beside gadget and accessories, DialogHub also officially authorised distributer for Liquipel™ in Malaysia! What is Liquipel? It is a state-of-the-art liquid repellent protective coating for smartphones. Do note that it works as splash and water resistant. Don't ever dive your phone in water with it.

The spokesperson for DialogHub is kind enough to demo the effectiveness of Liquipel to us. The coating not only cover the exterior of your gadget, it covered interior as well especially the phone mother board.

Another experiment previewed for us was the tissue paper. Note the difference? One was coated with Liquipel and another one wasn't.

We also presented by the Mi TV 2. Yes the very cheap smart TV with 4K resolution! It was hanging right at the shop and it was so awesome! Too bad there was no 4K content to viewed for us on that night but no doubt, 4K res for video is the future proof for now.

* Swapable back cover for OnePlus One *

Last but not least we are being showcase the latest Xiaomi Mi4 (16GB,3G ver) and also OnePlus One (64GB, Black Sandstorm). Yes both o this devices was offered in DialogHub!

* Xiaomi Mi 4 and OnePlus One. Which is your pick? *

For the first time I hands on the real OnePlus One. OMG so tempting to sell my phone away and get this instead. One of the main selling point was the OS itself baked by CynogenMod, one of the popular ROM in Android Society. But then again with today announcement of new Motorola X, I might change my mind. Hopefully the new Moto X is available in Malaysia by end of this year! :D DialogHub bring in pls!

A spokesperson for DialogHub stated, “We are currently selling some of the latest tech gadgets and services such as Mi TV, LG G Watch, Liquipel™ and many more at an attractive price point. We are also planning to bring in other exciting devices such as the Moto 360 Smart Watch and Google Glass in the near future.”

The DialogHub located at Subang Jaya SS15, directly opposite Burger Factory. For more information on DialogHub and Liquipel™, please visit www.dialog-hub.com.my